poád

Poád is a fictional term used to describe a social ritual in the imagined culture of the Poádic-speaking peoples. It is commonly interpreted as “shared remembrance” or “gift of memory,” reflecting its role in transmitting histories, values, and social ties across generations.

Etymology: The word is presented as a composite from Poádic roots po- meaning “together” and -ád meaning “memory” or “gift,” with regional dialects offering small semantic shifts.

Practice: Poád typically takes place annually at the end of the harvest season. A host household invites kin and neighbors to a communal meal centered on a dish known as garán. After eating, elders tell stories of ancestors or historic events, while participants perform traditional songs or dances. A symbolic exchange, such as a keepsake or a written memory, is given to represent the transfer of memory from one generation to the next.

Social function: The ritual serves to reinforce kinship networks, hospitality norms, and collective identity. It provides a controlled setting for oral history transmission, conflict mediation, and the apprenticeship of younger members in customary crafts or obligations.

Variants and history: In rural settings, Poád tends to be formal and highly stylized, with explicit sequence and roles. In urban or diaspora communities, it often becomes more flexible and secular, maintaining core functions of memory sharing and social bonding. The concept originates in the fictional Poádic culture and is used here as an illustrative example of a communal ritual.

See also: communal dining; oral tradition; ritual.